Aloe vera, a healing plant

What is aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a plant like cactus that grows in deserts or the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America, though the most of it originates in Africa. It is often termed as the "Lily of the Desert"

Aloe Vera has been used for countless centuries by many civilizations, and a score of historic figures such as Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, King Solomon and others.
- Alexander the Great conquered the island of Socotra, abundant with aloe vera plants to treat his army for intestinal worms and wounds inflicted in battles.
- Cleopatra used it to add to her beauty. Her smooth and supple skin was due to the usage of aloe vera.
- King Solomon is believed to have cultivated this medicinal plant.

In Chinese culture, aloe has been an important ingredient in medical treatments since the times of the Marco Polo expeditions. The treatment book of Shi- Shen described aloe vera as the "Method of Harmony"- the plant played a major role in the everyday life of the Chinese.  The Japanese culture also greatly values the aloe plant, in Japan it was known as the “royal plant”, the juice was consumed as an elixir and the samurai used it for embrocations.

There exist more than 350 varieties of aloe vera but only 4 of them have medicinal or healing properties. Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller is the most potent of them all and is more nutrient rich than other varieties.

What contains aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a complex mixture of more than 300 constituents including: bets-linked polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, lignins, saponins and anthraquinones.
Aloe vera contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B12 and E, essential fatty acids and is naturally rich in:
Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, Folic Choline, Vitamin C which helps maintain tone of blood vessels and promotes good circulation and is essential to the health of the adrenal gland which supports our body in times of stress.
Amino acids: which are chains of atoms constructing protein in our body.
Enzymes: Catalase, Amylase, Lipase, Phophatace, Crelatine which are the life-principle in every live, organic atom and molecule of natural raw food, rejuvenate aged tissues and promote healthy skin.
Minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Sodium, Copper, Iron, Germanium which is a mineral that some health authorities claim therapeutic benefits for: immunodeficiency, pain, cardiac disorders, circulatory disturbances and eye problems.

 

The benefits of aloe vera

Aloe vera, this miraculous plant, has an amazing variety of healing benefits. Whether is taken internally or externally, aloe vera has great effects in repairing ill organs. When taken internally, Aloe Vera has a stunning reputation as a healing substance for all kinds of illnesses and degenerative conditons.

• One of the most amazing properties that aloe vera juice has is that it contains white crystalline oxidation agents that simulate cell regeneration and has curing properties.

• Aloe vera gel is extremely useful in treating skin burns, abrasions, skin tan, skin irritations and intestine burns caused due to radiation. Aloe vera gel is also effective in treating any form of injury, insect bites, frostbites, burns, ringworm, skin rashes, painful shingles, herpes simplex, acne and bedsores.

• One of the many medicinal uses of aloe vera gel is its ability to decrease the intensity of pigmentation and remove dark spots. Aloe vera gel is also used in treating eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

• The plant aloe vera has proven to be extremely useful in treating the liver, colon, uterus, as well as ulcers and hemorrhoids. This plant not only offers a healing effect to people suffering from liver, colon, and uterus conditions, but also works on bringing improved function to these organs. 

• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
• Lowers high cholesterol.
• Repairs "sludge blood" and reverses "sticky blood".
• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• Protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn's disease and other digestive disorders.
• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.
• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.
• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Ends constipation.
• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
• Prevents and treats candida infections.
• Protects the kidneys from disease.
• Functions as nature's own "sports drink" for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete.
• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance.
• Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion.
• One of the many health benefits of aloe vera gel is in preventing hair loss. Aloe vera gel applied to the entire scalp and hair works as an effective natural treatment for hair loss. Aloe vera contains enzymes which stimulate new hair production. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful in fighting against Androgenetic Alopecia. 

 

How can you benefit of aloe vera at your home?

Externally uses of aloe vera

You can use aloe vera to treat a wound: Clean wound thoroughly, apply Aloe Vera pulp in the wound, wrap tightly with a bandage, keep bandage soaked in Aloe Vera juice.

To remove a minor scar: keep applying juice morning and night (daily). This may take several months to see great results (six months or so).
You can heal burns and sunburns: simply apply juice from an aloe leaf directly to burned area.

Use aloe vera for scalp & hair: before bedtime wet hair thoroughly with aloe vera juice and allow to dry. Rinse thoroughly in the morning.

Use Aloe Vera for allergies or as a pain inhibitor and reduce itchiness, also enhances healing of rashes and sores: apply juice directly to area that is irritated.

Prevent and remove pregnancy stretch marks: apply juice directly to skin while pregnant, after birth keep applying to encourage healing.

Use it in insect bites, jellyfish stings - Bees, mosquitoes, ants, wasps, yellow jackets, scorpions, centipedes and other insects: As soon as the bite or sting occurs, split open a leaf and apply it directly to the bite area.

For aching joints and muscles: rub Aloe Vera on the skin, relief should be felt within a few minutes and can be repeated as necessary.

Age Skin Spots: Apply juice to the spots twice a day, spots will be reduced or completely removed after several months of treatment.

Acne: Give your skin a good cleansing morning and night. Apply juice directly from the leaf. Can also apply to pimples and other sores. For removing old acne scars, apply a little juice morning and night until the scars are gone. This can take several months. If skin is dry, apply with a moisturizing cream.

 

Internally uses of aloe vera

A simple way to eat your aloe vera: Cut a piece of Aloe stalk about 4" long. Then slice it vertically. With a spoon, scrape the aloe gel from inside the leaf in a small cup. Throw it back into your mouth and down the throat. If you can support the bitter taste of aloe vera, then rinse it in your mouth for 30 seconds or so, and then swallow it. If it's too bitter and you can't tolerate the taste, then drink some water or juice right after it.

Digestive Problems - Three times daily take 1 to 2 TBS of aloe juice/gel. This will act like a general tonic and mild regulator of the bowels.

Sap Extraction For Bowel Regulation - The sap is a yellow bitter fluid that flows between the skin and the pulp of the Aloe and acts as a laxative: Place green peelings of an aloe leaf in a jar of water and refrigerate. The more leaves in the jar, the stronger the tonic will be. Take a few sips once or twice a week to help regulate your bowels. Top up the jar with fresh aloe leaves as needed.

Arthritis - Dice up leaves and place pieces in a jar of water, refrigerate. Drink 4 Tablespoons per day and top up water in the jar as consumed. The drink can be bitter but it does go away over time. Some may find relief right away, many don’t find relief until a couple months later. Make a fresh jar of leaves as needed.

Asthma - Boil Aloe Vera leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor.

 

Cautions:

- Be sure that the Aloe you use has medicinal or healing properties. (There exist more than 350 varieties of aloe vera but only 4 of them have medicinal or healing properties. Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller is the most potent of them all and is more nutrient rich than other varieties.)